Irkoni: Safeguarding Historic Earthen Architecture in Sikoot, Sudan

Home to rare Nubian houses, medieval monasteries, and Ottoman-era buildings, towns of Kwieka, Tabaj, Abri, and Amara East the Sikoot region in northern Sudan hold a rich but endangered earthen architectural legacy. Threatened by torrential rains and flooding, followed by extreme heat, and political instability, the cultural heritage of the region has been repeatedly damaged. The project will document key sites, collect oral histories, and train heritage professionals in traditional building methods. One site will be restored for community use, and awareness campaigns will highlight the impacts of climate change and the importance of heritage conservation. Led in partnership with local groups, including the Abri House of Heritage, the project supports a national priority to protect Sudan’s earthen heritage.